Dr. David B. Adams – Psychological Blog

Psychology of Illness, Pain, Anxiety and Depression

Doctor or Diagnosis Shopping

Research indicates that people with generalized anxiety disorder can, indeed, develop a major depressive disorder.

Allow me to outline generalized anxiety disorder:

[LIST][*]Excessive anxiety and worry about a number of events.[*][*]Difficulty controlling this anxiety[*][*]Restlessness, easily fatigued, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension and sleep disturbance[/LIST]Symptoms of major depressive disorder include:

[LIST][*]depressed mood[*][*] markedly decreased interest in almost all activities[*][*]significant weight gain or loss, sleeping too much or too littler[*][*]notable agitation or slowing[*][*]loss of energy[*][*]feelings of worthlessness[*][*]decreased ability to concentrate or make decisions[*][*]preoccupying thoughts about death[/LIST]The co-existence of both disorders (referred to as “comorbid”) can be a significant impairment in even daily functioning.

These symptoms are not difficult to detect, and the disorders are not difficult to diagnose. If they are not addressed, the course and rate of recovery from a physical illness will be significantly prolonged.”